Repeated platelet activation and the potential of previously activated platelets to contribute to thrombus formation

Ilaria De Simone; Constance C F M J Baaten; Jonathan M Gibbins; Hugo Ten Cate; Johan W M Heemskerk; Chris I Jones; Paola E J van der Meijden

doi:10.1016/j.jtha.2023.01.006

Repeated platelet activation and the potential of previously activated platelets to contribute to thrombus formation

J Thromb Haemost. 2023 May;21(5):1289-1306. doi: 10.1016/j.jtha.2023.01.006. Epub 2023 Jan 14.

Authors

Ilaria De Simone¹, Constance C F M J Baaten², Jonathan M Gibbins³, Hugo Ten Cate⁴, Johan W M Heemskerk⁵, Chris I Jones³, Paola E J van der Meijden⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, the Netherlands; Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK.
² Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, the Netherlands; Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research, University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
³ Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK.
⁴ Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, the Netherlands; Thrombosis Expertise Center, Heart and Vascular Center, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
⁵ Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, the Netherlands; Synapse Research Institute, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
⁶ Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, the Netherlands; Thrombosis Expertise Center, Heart and Vascular Center, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: p.vandermeijden@maastrichtuniversity.nl.

PMID: 36754678
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtha.2023.01.006

Abstract

Background: Especially in disease conditions, platelets can encounter activating agents in circulation.

Objectives: To investigate the extent to which previously activated platelets can be reactivated and whether in-and reactivation applies to different aspects of platelet activation and thrombus formation.

Methods: Short-and long-term effects of glycoprotein VI (GPVI) and G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) stimulation on platelet activation and aggregation potential were compared via flow cytometry and plate-based aggregation. Using fluorescence and electron microscopy, we assessed platelet morphology and content, as well as thrombus formation.

Results: After 30 minutes of stimulation with thrombin receptor activator peptide 6 (TRAP6) or adenosine diphosphate (ADP), platelets secondarily decreased in PAC-1 binding and were less able to aggregate. The reversibility of platelets after thrombin stimulation was concentration dependent. Reactivation was possible via another receptor. In contrast, cross-linked collagen-related peptide (CRP-XL) or high thrombin stimulation evoked persistent effects in α_IIbβ₃ activation and platelet aggregation. However, after 60 minutes of CRP-XL or high thrombin stimulation, when α_IIbβ₃ activation slightly decreased, restimulation with ADP or CRP-XL, respectively, increased integrin activation again. Compatible with decreased integrin activation, platelet morphology was reversed. Interestingly, reactivation of reversed platelets again resulted in shape change and if not fully degranulated, additional secretion. Moreover, platelets that were previously activated with TRAP6 or ADP regained their potential to contribute to thrombus formation under flow. On the contrary, prior platelet triggering with CRP-XL was accompanied by prolonged platelet activity, leading to a decreased secondary platelet adhesion under flow.

Conclusion: This work emphasizes that prior platelet activation can be reversed, whereafter platelets can be reactivated through a different receptor. Reversed, previously activated platelets can contribute to thrombus formation.

Keywords: G-protein-coupled; glycoprotein VI; integrins; platelet activation; receptors; thrombus formation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adenosine Diphosphate / metabolism
Adenosine Diphosphate / pharmacology
Blood Platelets / metabolism
Humans
Platelet Activation
Platelet Aggregation
Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / metabolism
Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins* / metabolism
Receptors, Thrombin / metabolism
Thrombin / metabolism
Thrombosis* / metabolism

Substances

Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins
Thrombin
Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex
Receptors, Thrombin
Adenosine Diphosphate